Bill Summary
This legislation mandates that all short-term rental properties, such as homes or apartments rented for less than 30 days, must be equipped with both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors before they can be offered for rent. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is given the authority to create regulations to ensure compliance and enforce the law, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing consumer protection laws. The effective date for these requirements is set for one year after the legislation is enacted. The bill aims to enhance safety for guests staying in short-term rentals by ensuring these essential safety devices are present.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the proposed legislation requiring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in short-term rentals could affect people:
1. **Increased Safety for Renters**: The legislation would significantly enhance the safety of individuals staying in short-term rentals by ensuring that all properties are equipped with functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This could lead to a reduction in accidents and fatalities related to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, thereby providing peace of mind to guests and their families.
2. **Financial Implications for Property Owners**: Property owners who offer short-term rentals may incur additional costs to comply with the new requirements, including purchasing and installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This could lead to increased rental costs as owners pass on the expenses to renters, potentially influencing the affordability of short-term rental options for consumers.
3. **Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement**: The involvement of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in enforcing the regulations means that property owners must be vigilant about compliance to avoid penalties. This could lead to a greater number of inspections and increased accountability within the short-term rental market. Owners who fail to comply may face legal consequences, which could impact their ability to operate their rental properties effectively.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3918 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3918
To ensure that certain short-term rentals are equipped with a smoke
detector and a carbon monoxide detector, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 11, 2025
Mr. Keating introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To ensure that certain short-term rentals are equipped with a smoke
detector and a carbon monoxide detector, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS REQUIRED.
(a) Requirement.--No person may rent or offer for rent, or
facilitate the rental of, a short-term rental unless such short-term
rental is equipped with a smoke detector and a carbon monoxide
detector.
(b) Regulations.--The Federal Trade Commission may promulgate, in
accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(c) Enforcement by Federal Trade Commission.--
(1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices.--A violation of
this section or a regulation promulgated under this section
shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section
18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C.
57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
(2) Powers of commission.--The Federal Trade Commission
shall enforce this section and the regulations promulgated
under this section in the same manner, by the same means, and
with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all
applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission
Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a
part of this section. Any person who violates this section or a
regulation promulgated under this section shall be subject to
the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities
provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.
(d) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on the date
that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered services.--The term ``covered services''--
(A) means the temporary provision of a room,
building, or other lodging facility; and
(B) does not include the provision of a meeting
room, banquet services, or catering services.
(2) Short-term rental.--The term ``short-term rental''
means a property, including a single-family dwelling or a unit
in a condominium, cooperative, or time-share, that provides
covered services (either with respect to the entire property or
a part of the property)--
(A) to the general public;
(B) in exchange for a fee;
(C) for periods shorter than 30 consecutive days;
and
(D) promoted, advertised, or marketed in interstate
commerce or sold in interstate commerce.
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